Kobe (wrist) plans to play season opener Sunday

Kobe Bryant said his injured right wrist was less swollen Thursday and he expects to play in the season opener Sunday against Chicago.

"I should be fine," Bryant said.

Bryant's definition of "fine" is a little dicey, though. He also said: "It's not really going to heal. It's gone. The ligament's gone. There's nothing I can do about it. But I've dealt with so many hand injuries, it should be all right."

Bryant said he tried to practice Tuesday with unsatisfactory results, which notified him there was more significant damage. The MRI on Tuesday revealed the torn lunotriquetral ligament in his right (shooting) wrist.

"If you can play through the pain, if you can catch a ball, pass a ball, things like that, it should be fine," Bryant said.

The Lakers have games Sunday, Monday and Tuesday -- all without suspended center Andrew Bynum.

"It's always been in my nature to figure out a way to play," said Bryant, who sat out Lakers practice Thursday.

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